1. Scald 1/2 cup of the heavy cream with the sugar, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Pour the hot sweetened cream over the chopped chocolate in a large bowl and stir until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Set aside to cool completely.

2. When the chocolate mixture is cool, whip the remaining 1 1/4 cups of heavy cream with the almond extract just until stiff; do not overbeat. Fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture. Use as soon as possible.